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Serene is one of the writers on Mimomito, of course, and Alan is her equally awesome and funny boyfriend who has a great blog of his own called SacCee. Make sure to check it out!

What they told us about the home: It is a two bedroom/ one bathroom flat.

Where is the home located: Midtown, Sacramento, California

When was the home built and when they moved it: Not quite sure when the home was built, but based on the moldings and style it seems to be 30s or 40s. They moved in April 2010.

Why they chose this home: Mostly because of its wonderful price of $700 per month. It was the 5th or 6th apartment they looked at and it was recommended by Alan’s sister who saw the “for rent” sign in the window.

Serene: I got into Mid Century design through my older sister Renee. We were both teenagers, and she was living in Oregon for college and had furnished her tiny house in Eugene with amazing Mid Century finds. Swiveling kidney bean coffee table on hair pin legs, Saarinen chairs and table in the kitchen, Eames chair shells littering her garage. I didn’t totally understand then, as a 16 year old, why she hated guests putting their feet on her coffee table so much – but I sure get it now.

Favorite designers and biggest influences for your style?

Alan: When talking about a movement that spans basically two decades, with thousands of designers, how could you pick just one? It’s a pretty expansive thing. I like how everything can work together from different people, styles, and nationalities.

Plus we’re too poor to care about who made our shit.

Serene: We seem to gravitate toward dark woods and teak. It seems that Danish modern design is in our subconscious. As for influences, I watch a lot of movies from that era, do a lot of “internet research,” and just generally absorb design. It comes out in how we furnish our tiny apartment and the pieces that catch our eye in thrift stores and Craigslist.

How do you feel about reproductions?

Alan: I guess if you want a particular piece really bad and it’s out of your price range, it’s cool. But there’s so much vintage out there that surely you could find something that will work that’s original, and would probably be even more unique. And vintage reproductions are cool. I just don’t like DWR chairs.

Serene: As one reader once said, “if it’s cute, it’s cute.” I tend to agree. But reproductions are either too pricey, or the materials just aren’t worth it. Chances are, if I can afford it, it’s not quality.

Furniture wise, what do you think is something you should invest in?

Alan: quality? What’s the point if it’s not going to last and be durable so we can use it. It’s furniture, after all. I’d pay more for something that I knew would hold up to my being drunk on it.

Serene: A good lounge chair. Your house isn’t a home without one.

Where are your favorite places to shop for home décor?

Alan: … the internet

Serene: Definitely the internet. Etsy and Craigslist. I probably buy more things from thrift stores, though. Thrift Town, Goodwill, Eco Thrift. If I’m not looking to score a super deal, then the 57th Street Antique Mall and Home Style.

What are some of your best finds? From where?

Alan: Area thrifts, of course. Also never hurts when people I know understand I’m obsessed with something and give me a heads up.

Serene: Yeah, we found a pretty great dresser that we ended up flipping from a tip from a friend on Facebook. My favorite find is either our convertible couch from 57th Street or Dux lounge chair we snagged from The Verge Gallery. Both are brown and green – my favorite combination of colors.

Greatest achievement in your home? Biggest challenge?

Serene: Our living room. It was the biggest challenge for me to get it painted. We painted it twice in the span of a month. From bright orange with brown trim, to grey/blue and yellow with white trim. Our entire apartment is small and has icky blue office laminate floor tiles. It was hard to find a color combo that makes that icky blue a workable neutral.

Alan: Expanding on that, it’s challenging to take a space that was built 60 years before the furniture we like was created and try to make them work. Narrow rooms and crown mouldings.

Future goals/ projects?

Serene: For me, track shelving in the office. And then moving J

Alan: yeah I was gonna say buying one of those MCM mansions on the river. Y’know, once my record drops.

Do you have any home inspiration recommendations for our readers?

Serene: THIS BLOG! READ IT!

Advice and last words?

Alan: don’t put together a museum. It’s where you live. It’s 2011. Make it comfortable and make it livable.

Thanks to Alan and Serene for sharing their home with us!

If you’re interested in having your home featured on the blog, shoot me an e-mail at: midmodlove@yahoo.com